The Family Legacy at Cincinnati Eye Institute

In 1945, Morris Osher founded one of Americas leading ophthalmology practices. He enjoyed building a small group practice that, in 1980, added his son Robert, who then had the unique vision to create a medical facility that was otherwise unheard of at the time. He was determined to build a medical center that focused not just on general ophthalmology, but bringing together experts in every subspecialty of the eye as well. That vision, over time, became Cincinnati Eye Institute.

"Cincinnati Eye Institute bridged the gap between private practice and academic university practices," says Dr. Robert Osher, Professor of Ophthalmology at the College of Medicine of the University of Cincinnati and Medical Director Emeritus of Cincinnati Eye Institute. "Cincinnati Eye Institute is now equipped to do every medical and surgical procedure across the board, and we’re very good at it."

Dr. Robert Osher has worked for most of his life to carry on the legacy of his father during his time with Cincinnati Eye Institute. "My desire to go into ophthalmology came directly from my father," he says. "He was a very compassionate and caring man. He used to take me on rounds with him when I was young, and I never wanted to do anything else."

Throughout his career, Robert has worked to build his father’s creation into the internationally recognized institution it is today, and has gained a significant amount of recognition for his own work as well. Specializing in cataract surgery, Robert has received the highest awards in the United States. His surgical videos have gained international fame and he has delivered lectures in more than 40 countries. While accomplishing all this, he also managed to be a doting father to five children, one of whom has recently joined him at Cincinnati Eye Institute. 

"I have a vast interest in medicine and I absolutely love what I do," says Robert. "But I was never as happy as when James came to work here."

Dr. James Osher, a retinal surgeon specializing in medical and surgical diseases of the retina, walked through the doors of Cincinnati Eye Institute for his first day of work on July 21, 2014, much to the delight of his father. "In a few short months, he gained the respect and recognition that it took me years to gain," Robert says proudly.

James says his decision to take up the Osher mantle of ophthalmology was not one he took lightly. He originally resisted the family legacy, exploring many other fields instead. "I looked at entering every field but ophthalmology at first, but it was and always will be what I’m truly passionate about," says James. Like his father, James grew up in the world of ophthalmology and was exposed to much of the profession from a very young age. "Growing up, my dad took me to lectures, and I worked summer jobs holding cameras for him in surgery."

Despite his original trepidation, James recognized in himself the passion he shares with his father and grandfather. "I saw how happy my dad’s patients were after their surgeries," he says. "And I’ve never seen an unhappy ophthalmologist."

Now that father and son are working together under the same roof, they’ve found a way to enhance not only their personal relationship, but their professional one as well. Since Robert and James focus on two different specialties, they each have a lot to learn from one another. "Jamey went into an area that I actually know very little about, and he’s developed his own reputation," says Robert.

"He actually educates me quite often. I call him if I see something involving the retina that I’m unsure of; it’s great to be able to use his expertise."

James says that, although he did give in to the siren call of ophthalmology, his choice of subspecialty has been all his own. "The retina is fascinating to me," he says. "It can be a diagnostic mystery and it’s fascinating to see how retinal surgery has changed so rapidly." He adds that the human eye overall is fascinating since, for such a small operating area, there are 12 different subspecialties, and physicians simply can’t specialize in all those areas at once.

Although James grew up holding cameras for his father, he’s now able to help him in new ways. Through the diagnostic mysteries that fascinate James so much, he has been able to aid his father’s patients through his expertise. Since the pair often operate just rooms apart from one another, communication is something they’ve kept up daily since James started at Cincinnati Eye Institute.

"We’ve had many surgeries we’ve performed together," says Robert. "There are instances where, in surgery, I take the cataract out of the patient’s eye, and then Jamey repairs the retina."

One additional factor that James admires is Robert’s compassion for his patients. Though Robert insists this trait was inherited from his own father, Morris, it is apparent that patient care has always been and always will be a high priority for the Osher ophthalmologists. "I had a teacher in medical school who said that ‘you’re never going to be able to cure every disease, but you can comfort every patient.’ I saw that attitude in my father, I try to embody it myself, and Jamey certainly does as well," says Robert.

He adds that Morris would go out of his way for any patient, including making house calls for those who perhaps couldn’t make it in to the office. "I worked with my father for 18 years, and the manner in which he cared and respected every patient left an impression on me," says Robert. He then emphasizes that communication with patients is key in explaining and reassuring each through the surgical process. Families appreciate being kept informed about their loved ones, so Robert says he works hard to invest the time to understand each family’s concerns. "The work my father does for his patients is amazing," says James. "I’ve heard patients say they had the best time in surgery, and they’re smiling through their recovery."

James says he thinks this compassion and expertise is embodied not just in his father, but throughout the whole of Cincinnati Eye Institute. What attracted him to work there is what often draws so many other physicians from across the country: the unique blending of professional and medical expertise with a tightly knit, family-like atmosphere. "Cincinnati Eye Institute is a very unique place in this country," says James. "There are more than 40 ophthalmologists here in many different subspecialties, as well as many terrific optometrists, and the quality of care is extraordinarily high. The surgeons are technically skilled and the technology is second to none." He adds that, when he started at Cincinnati Eye Institute back in July, he was replacing a retiring physician and thus had less time to adapt to his new position than he may have under other circumstances. However, he was able to hit the ground running with help from other retinal specialists, who consistently contacted him and checked in to make sure he wasn’t overwhelmed while seeing patients from dawn to dusk.

Robert also appreciates Cincinnati Eye Institute’s welcoming atmosphere, but the main source of his joy is his son, who has exceeded all expectations in his field. "My father started Cincinnati Eye Institute, and I built it up," he says. "But Jamey has the potential to go so far beyond what I’ve accomplished."

Cincinnati Eye Institute’s Main Office is located at 1945 CEI Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45242. You can reach them at 513.984.5133 or visit their website at www.cincinnatieye.com.